Wednesday, April 7, 2021

#IWSG #WhatTheFork #WritersBlock

 


It's time for the April 2021 Insecure Writer's Support Group post! You can sign up HERE. 

Thanks to our host Alex Cavanaugh, and the awesome co-hosts for this month: PK Hrezo, Pat Garcia, SE White, Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton!

April 7 optional question - Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?

I'm not a risk taker. Having said that, though, I did give up my career at one point and moved to the mountains to write for 3+ years. It cost me a lot, but they were good years, and I'm not sorry. But normally I'm a very careful person, even in my writing. Which can be really boring I guess. But I add some ghosties to cause a bit of havoc and some humor, and that makes me happy. 

But to be honest, I'm struggling. I have had a first draft of my next novel for quite some time (a year?) and I know it needs a lot of work and I'm sort of just paralyzed and can't move forward. My characters are static and not moving forward either. I'm even struggling with writing the blurb for which my illustrator has been waiting for for weeks now so that she can finish the back cover. 


What the fork, man?! 
(for The Good Place fans out there LOL)

Can this be writer's block? 

Any advice is welcome. 

Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

24 comments:

  1. L. Diane WolfeApril 7, 2021 at 4:30 AM

    Bounce your blurb off some other writers. With DLP, I take the blurb they sent with the query, adjust it, and then send it to the author. We go back and forth many times until it's polished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 7, 2021 at 6:50 AM

      I have just the group to bounce it off of, but writing the blurb itself is...*sigh*

      Delete
  2. Natalie AguirreApril 7, 2021 at 5:48 AM

    I think you are a risk taker quitting your job for a few years to write. Are you in a critique group? Maybe setting some deadlines with them will help you get more writing done. And maybe give yourself permission to just write a small number of words--250--or revise for a short period of time--15 to 30 minutes--will help you get back into your writing. It's helped me to have smaller expectations of myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 7, 2021 at 8:47 AM

      I know I just need to grab those short periods and run, right or wrong. LOL. Thanks, Natalie!

      Delete
  3. Alex J. CavanaughApril 7, 2021 at 6:39 AM

    Get some other writers to help with the blurb.
    Amazing you took three years off!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pat GarciaApril 7, 2021 at 7:58 AM

    Hi,
    I wouldn't be sorry either. If that was your heart's desire, then great. How many people wish they could do something like that and don't do it.
    Wishing you all the best.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 7, 2021 at 9:37 AM

      I didn't want to always regret not doing it! They were awesome years, too.

      Delete
  5. LaurApril 7, 2021 at 8:28 AM

    You are far ahead of me. I have not taken risks in most ways. I have taken risks in career changes but not by actually letting anyone see what I write. Your progress will be an inspiration to me. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 7, 2021 at 9:39 AM

      Letting people read what you write is so hard! You need to get critique partners that you trust. Good luck!

      Delete
  6. Ellen JacobsonApril 7, 2021 at 9:10 AM

    I hate blurb writing! Sorry to hear that your current book is giving you troubles. Just remember what a great writer you are (yes, you are!). The story will shape itself up into something you love before you know it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rachna ChhabriaApril 7, 2021 at 10:06 AM

    Good luck with your writing, hope you bounce back fast and nail that draft!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 8, 2021 at 6:28 AM

      I know I just need to put my head down and do it! *sigh*

      Delete
  8. Chrys FeyApril 7, 2021 at 11:12 AM

    I'm sorry you're struggling. I hope you find a way around your block. <3

    I admire that you took three years off to write and moved to the mountains.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 8, 2021 at 6:39 AM

      I will find a way, it may just take (a little more) time.

      Delete
  9. JenniApril 7, 2021 at 8:22 PM

    I go through periods like that. Sometimes you just need to step back. For me, doing something creative that's not writing, reading a lot, or being out in nature help.
    Sometimes though I'm stuck because there's a plot hole that I sense is there, but don't know how to fix.
    I'm sure you'll find your way back.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anne HigaApril 8, 2021 at 1:04 PM

    Gwen,
    If I knew what to tell you, I would. I hope you get unblocked soon. Have a great weekend.

    Anne from annehiga.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 10, 2021 at 8:45 AM

      Thanks, Anne! I'm determined to move along ;)

      Delete
  11. Susan Gourley/KelleyApril 8, 2021 at 4:28 PM

    I think many of us have some weird things going on in our minds and with our energy. I do better when I avoid the news but the pandemic demands you have to sometimes tune into it. I hope your muse peeks out soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 10, 2021 at 8:54 AM

      I try to avoid the news, but it's always in your face. And you need to keep up to date on what's going on, right? But sometimes, you have to just keep on scrolling. LOL.

      Delete
  12. Michelle WallaceApril 10, 2021 at 5:13 AM

    You took three years off to write in the mountains? Wow. It must have been quite an experience.
    Hope your writing mojo returns soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen GardnerApril 10, 2021 at 9:03 AM

      Yes, it was quite the experience. I can't wait to spread my wings again!

      Delete

Yay! You left a comment! I love comments.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)